Combined expansion joint and union



Aug. 27, 1940. c. M o'LEARY l COMBINED EXPANSION JOINT AND UNION Filed Feb. 25, 1938 l Y INVENTOR. CHARLES M LEARY Patented AugQz?, 1940 azlaier ooMneINino, EXPANSION JOINT AND'- UNION k Charles M. OLeary, ngeles, Calif. Application Febuary 23, 1.938,' seriarNeg-isl'm s Claims. o1'f2s5`;1:2 1)f;-

This invention relates to a'pipe fitting and particularly pertains to a combined expansion joint and union.

In connection with the use of various liquid and fuel conduits, and particularly in connectionwith oil' eld pipe lines, it is desirable to provide a union for making connections between pipes which are disposed at various degrees of angularity to each other, and it is also desirable to provide a union structure which is ittedv 'with means whereby longitudinal expansion and contraction of thepipes may be accommodated With-.-

out breaking the joints or placing undue strain upon them. 1 It isthe principal object `of the present invention to provide an expansion jo'intand union for pipes andthelike which is simple in its construction, may be instantly assembledto'connect the ends of twofpipes which may be disposed at varying angles to each other and out of central longitudinal alignment.

The present invention contemplates tl'iefpro-` vision 'of two complementary pipe connection ttings, an expansionjoint for oneorboth of said fittings and 'a union ring, adapted to. securesaid.

two ttings in any desired angular position with relation vto a common intermediate plane.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a View inside elevationshowing the present invention, and particularly disclosing the relationship of the locking element." 1 l 2 isI a View in transverse section-through the union as seen Onthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in' plan showing the assembled structure. a Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in transverse section as seen on line 4-4 of Fig. ladisclosing' the lock device.

Fig. 5 is a view in section and elevationlshow- :e ing the metal gasket ring. e

Referring more particularlyr to-the drawing, I0 indicates a. union coupling which isin the form of a'ring member having a central circular opening Il therethrough. The ring member'is subrstantially'rectangular in cross section. A cylindrical-v wall I2 provides a continuation of the opening Il'. An annular lip I3 is formed on the letward side ofthe wall I2. Thread grooves I4 are formed interiorly of the'ring .I (l. The

' ring` is preferably cast'from material having suit# able4 strength, but which is lrelatively light in weight.V The thread groove I4 is cast with the ring vand extends on a pitch line which makes it-possible forV members to be quickly assembled therewith.` In fact, the vthread groove'is ,so

formed that its circumferential'length represents one `turn and alshort length of another turn so tliatvthre ends lof' the groove threads overlap so as to permitaoompanion .threaded element toy easily meshtheretvith. Extending from diametrically Oppositey sides of the ring and radially theretoare'lugs Hjand I6 which allo-wthe ring to be easilyheld orrotated. Assembled with the ring are universalttings I'I and'v I8. The fitting l1 has ai hemispherical portion I9 formed with an annular lip 2Il,lthe`circumference ofjwhioh isy such' as to' freely fit with relation to the wall I Zfof the bore Il.V 4Anouter tapered face 2| is formed on the back ofthe lip 2B andrests' against a similar tapered face L22 formed` on the lip I?,

Thewalls of the hemispherical member are slightlyo-set outwardly 'from'end face 23 for a purpose to be'hereinafterV described. Formed integral with-the hemispherical'lme'rnber of the fitting; I'I is a tubular extension 24 which providesapassageway 25fcommunicating with the interior of y'thehernisphericalmember I9'. A limiting' vshoulder 2 6fis formed `within this pas-l aafgeway so` astofform a bottom of a coi'interil bore 21 andaccomrnodates the flanged lip 28 vof' anx expansion jointsleeve`2j8. A stop ring 30' is disposed around the Vsleeve and ts within a v oo unterborel of the passageway 25 and rests against, a shoulder l32. suitable non-metauie packingV 33 fenciroles the vsleeve .29 and vrests against the ring'. A packing gland 34 extends into the'space'between the sleeve 29 and the wall ofthe'counterbore 3l to exert pres-sure against the packing. An outer threaded portion 35 of thepacking gland engages threadsonthe ex' terior of'lthe tubular-member 24. This insures that -a 'tight joint will'be formed between the sleeve-Eiland the-member while permitting longitudinal .movement .ofthe sleeve with relation tothe tubular portion 24. The outer end is suit--l ably fitted such asfor example by threads `36.130 receive otheiytu'bular elements which might be connected with, it. The universal fitting I8` has ahernispherical portion 3l which is complementary to thehemispherical portion I9 4of the fitf-l 7" ting I1.. The universal fitting I 8 is providedkwrith a tubular extension 38 corresponding tothe tueiner 'extension 2,4 ofthe universel ntting I1.

The tubular'extension is provided with a sleeve 29 andthefother element previously'descr'ibed as `forming an expansion joint, thus itv will be seen that both ofthe universal ttings are provided with tubularextensions for connection with pipes, and that they also have expansion joints. Itis alsoto be? understood thatthe tubular members 24 and 38 may be dispos-ed at other angles to the central axis of the ring I such for example as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The universal tting I8 is formed with a flange portion 39 around the circumference of which a thread 40 is cast, which thread agrees in shape and pitch with the thread groove I4 which is formed on the ring Ill. It is desirable that the thread 4|) be slightly narrower than thethread opening I4 so that there will be a loose fit between the thread groove and thread40 making it possible for them to be easily placed in mesh and for the parts to be readily assembled and drawn into alignment. The radius of the hemispherical portion 3T is the same as that of the hernispherical portion I 9. hemispherical portion 3'1 is, however, off-set from the center plane of the hemispherical structure so that a space 42 will occur between the faces 23 and 4I' of the two universal fittings I'I and` The faces 23 and 4I of fittings II and I8 will lie parallel to each other in spaced relation and are formed with complementary annular V-shaped grooves 43 between which a packing member including an annular non-metallic packing gasket 44 and a metallic split packing ring44 is placed. This packing element is substantially of pyramidal shape in transverse section soA that it will fit within the grooves 43 and will be wedged into position as the fittings are drawn together to provide a packing which will be compressed when the union ring I is tightened by rotation to bring the thread groove I4'and thread 4B into locking mesh. The packing element 44 as shown in the drawing is arranged with the vmetallic member 44 outermost so that it will be compressed, although it is to be understood that the arrangement may be reversed to dispose the metallic member 44' innermost so that it will be expanded when performing a packing action. By reference to the' drawing it will be seen that the base width of the member 44 is normally less than the distance across the composite space formed by grooves 43 and the edges of the base face of member 44' are rounded. The base face of the nonmetallicpacking gasket 44 is wider however and fills the space across the grooves 43. This will act to'force the metallic ring `44 against the nonmetallic member 44 in a manner to cause the gasket to project into the space 42. This will increase the sealing function of the ring. It will also be recognized that the internal' fluid pressure will act to force the gasket outwardly `and increase the binding action. At such times member 44' will also act as an obstruction to prevent the packing gasket from extending outwardly between the faces 23 and 4I. The grooves 43 may have a greater length along their inner faces, thus providing an increased space for accommodating the larger packing gasket.

Due to the fact that there are irregularities in castings and their threads,`and that warping may occur I have provided an adjustable latch means which will allow for a wide variation of wear and warping, and which will allow for machining of the two faces when re-facing is necessary and will still be capable of holding and locking the elements in a fluid tight relation. This adjustment Y also provides for any wear of the threads, and

is extremely` desirable in the present construction due to the fact that the threads used are fast operating threads which of necessity have a steep pitchand might tend to rotate to disengaged universal fitting IB.

The end face 4I of the positions if they were not provided with a positive lock.

Formed at intervals around circumferential edge of the ring I0 and extending radially therefrom are locking lugs 45. Mounted to swing between these lugs is the latch member 46 which is carried by a boss 48 formed integral with the The latch member 46 has a main arm portion 4S formed with a slot 50 to accommodate a bolt 4'I. Bolt 41 is provided with a head 4l and a nut 5I. The portion continues in an overhanging length 52 which extends transversely of the outer face of the ring I Il and continues in a radial extending portion 53 which may be brought over and around the ring. The radial portion 53 terminates in a hooked end 54 which extends into a shoulder 55 of ring I0, thus it will be seen that when the latch member 46 swings over to the position disclosed in Fig. 4 of the drawing it will serve to lock the ring II and the universal fitting I8 against relative rotation.

' In the event that the latch member 46 cannot register with the space between thelugs 45, the nut I on bolt 4'I may be adjusted to permit lateral movement of the latch so as to provide registration of the parts. vThis bolt and nut will then act when tightened to setand tighten the parts. vThe latch 46 is also formed with a slotted opening 46 to receive a lug 45 when in register therewith. p 4

In operation of the present invention the structure is made as here shown and described, care havingbeen taken to insure that the thread groove I4 and thread 40 will not mesh tightly, but that normallythey will t loosely so that the' ring I0 `may be easily tightened around them to produce a tightening and aligning action. rIhe universal fitting II is first passed through the ring I0 and it may then be connected with a pipe through the medium of the sleeveI 29; The ring gasket 44 is then placed in-position within the grooves 43 of the universal fitting,'and a similar grooveof theV fitting I8 may be brought to'bearagainst the opposite side of the ring. The sleeve 29 ofthe fitting I8 may then be connected with a pipeI when this assembly is made. yIn either event ithe ring I0 is moved toward a settingposition with relation to the flange 20 of the universal fitting II and with its thread 4U moving into mesh with the thread groove I4 of the ring I0. The ring I Il may then be rotated to draw the two fittings toward each other and to force the grooves 43 and the faces 23 and 4I into a binding position against the opposite edges of the packing element including the ring gasket 44', and the ring 44. When the parts have been properly tightened with relation to each other the latch member 46 may be swungto'itslatching'positio'n for example as shown in Fig. 4 and will prevent relative rotation of the ringl I0 `andthe universal siting I8. Y l' .p i

It is to be understood that while the two tubular extensions 24 and 38of the universal fittings I'I and I8 are here shown as lying with their andat right angles to the normal planeA thereof.

It will also be understood that while the tubular extensions 34 and 38 are shown as oppositely disposed at the same angles to the aforesaidcentral axis, that if desired these angles( may be varied with relation to each other or may be made Y coincident with each other and the aforesaid central axis. This -makes it possible to use this particular typeof coupling for various purposes and applications.

It will thus be seen that the structure here disclosed provides a simple structure of light weight and great strength whereby two sections of pipe disposed at angular relation to each may be quickly connected, and will be supplied with expansion joints for accommodating longitudinal expansion and contraction of the parts without imposing an undueA objectional strain upon them. It will also be seen that due to the thread formation care does not have to be taken to accurately align the parts, but that the parts may be quickly assembled and held in communication by the structure here shown.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention as now known to me, it will be understood that various changes may be made in combination, construction, and arrangement of parts by those skilled in the art, ,without departing from the spirit of my invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention,l what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:A

l. In a pipe union of the type described comprising a pair of universal fittings, each iitting including a substantially hemispherical shell and a tubular extension communicating therewith, said fittings having an outwardly extending annular flange embracing the equatorial portion of the shell, a ring encircling` the flanges of said fittings, said ring having an annular inturned shoulder formed on substantially one edge of the inner wall thereof and adapted to engage the outer edge of the ange on one of said iittings, a thread formed on the remaining inner wall portion of the ring adapted tol engage a complementary thread formed on the outer eircumferenceof the flange of the other of said iittingswhereb'y rotation of l the ring will draw the equatorial portions of the two iittings together, said ring having a plurality of lugs formed on the outer circumference thereof, a latch means carried by `one of the said iittings adapted to swing to a position overlapping the ring and engaging one of said lugs to hold the fittings and the ring in locked relation to 'one another, and additional means to hold the latch in locking relation with the lug.

2. In a pipe union of the type described comprising'a pair of universal iittings, each iitting including a substantially hemispherical shell and a tubular extension communicating therewith,

said fittings having an outwardly extending annular flange embracing the equatorial portion of the shell, a ring encircling the iianges of said fittings, said ring having an annular inturned shoulder formed on substantially one edge of the inner wall thereof and adapted to engagethe outer edge of the flange of one of said iittings, a thread formed on the remaining inner wall portion of theV ring adapted to engage a complementary thread formed onthe outer circumference of the flange of the 'other of said fittings whereby rotation of the ring will draw the equatorial portions of the two fittings together, said ring having a plurality of lugs formed on the other circumference thereof, and latch means having a central slot therethrough adapted toencircle one of said lugs when said latch member is moved to a position embracing the ring, said means holding the iittings and the ring in intervlocked relation. f

3. In a pipe union of the type described comprisingv a pair of, universal fittings, each fittingl fittings, said ring having an annular inturned shoulder formed on substantially one edge of the inner wall thereof and adapted to engage the-r outer edge of the flange of one ofsaid fittings,

a thread formed on the remaining inner wall por-y tion of the ring adapted to engage a complementary thread formed on the outer circumference ofthe ange of the other of said iittings whereby rotation of the ring will draw the equatorialportions of two iittings together, said ring having a plurality of. lugs formed on the outer circumference thereof, and latch means having a center slotv therethrough adapted toencircle oneof-said lugs when said latch member is moved to a position embracing the ring, said means holding the fittings andthe ring in interlocking relation, and

additional means tofholdthe .latch in its embracing position.

CHARLES M. OLEARY. 

